Do you need a Taiwan visa?

Probably not. For many countries, no Taiwan visa is required if you stay less than 90 or 30 days. Most European citizens are granted 90 days infact. (Updated April 2011)

Up to 30 (or 90) days of stay: no Taiwan visa is required as you are entitled to the "Visa-Exempted Entry".

A "Visitor Visa" is required for more than 30 (or 90) days. There are different kind of Visitor Visa depending on the reasons of the travel: tourism, business, work, study, marriage, joining family, etc.

Persons from these countries can stay up to 30 days without visa:
Australia, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and U.S.A.

Also citizens of India, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines and Indonesia are not required a Taiwan visa if they are permanent resident of countries such as USA, Australia, Canada, European Union. Anyway better to check with your country Taiwan Consulate or on the official website.

What do you need to enter Taiwan without the visa?

Very simple, only:

your passport, valid at least 6 months;

a confirmed return ticket out of Taiwan within 30 (or 90) days.

Arriving in Taiwan the immigration officer will check your passport and will apply the stamp you can see in the picture above. No fee will be required.

Years ago, before I got married, I entered Taiwan several times in this way. No one ever asked me anything.

What you are allowed to do in Taiwan with the visa-exempted entry?

During the incoming flight remember to have always ready at hand your return ticket. The airline will check your passport for a Taiwan visa or for a valid return ticket. It is their responsability that your travel documents are ok before you can board the flight to Taiwan. So, if you cannot show them your return ticket ... you will not be allowed to fly to Taiwan!

All these activities within the 30 (or 90) days limit. Of course, you are not allowed to work!

The 30 days limit is not extendable.

So, if you fall in love for Taiwan at the first sight (or, more likely, for a taiwanese) and you want to stay more, you have to go out of the country first and then come back - and start again one more 30 days period.

In this case you can take the chance to apply for a Taiwan visa in the nearest Taiwan Office, as Hong Kong or Okinawa.

If you are eligible for 90 days of visa-exempted entry, you might be able to extend this limit in Taiwan. Read how in this official document from the Taiwan Bureau of Consular Affairs.

2. Visitor Visa

You have to apply for this visa if you want to stay more than 30 days (or, again, 90).

The Visitor Visa is normally valid 60 days and you can extend it in Taiwan two more times - up to 180 days - unless your visa has the fine print "no extension will be granted" - check first and ask the consulate if your intention is to stay more.

Apply for your Taiwan Visa in your own country, if you can. It is well known that in places as Hong Kong - closer to Taiwan - sometimes can be more difficult to get a visa.

I am not a visa or a travel agent!

Every day I receive emails from people asking me to help them to get a visa to Taiwan or how or where to get it.

As I pointed out above I am not a visa agent. I try to keep this page as updated as possible but I am not a visa expert either, what I know is based on my personal experience only. So I am not able to help you!

So, please, don't email me about these issues, I am not going to reply to these emails.

Instead you are more than welcome to write me about any incorrect or not updated information found on this page or other pages of this web site.